Colorado § 25-59-102 - Legislative declaration.

§ 25-59-102. Legislative declaration.

(1) The general assembly finds and declares that:

(a) The extraordinary gift of living organ donation has a transformative impact on a recipient's life, often providing a reprieve from exhaustive medical treatments and significantly improving the quality and length of life of the recipient;

(b) Despite the commendable rise in living organ donations, a critical shortage remains, with countless individuals on transplant waiting lists. This situation can be ameliorated by facilitating the donation process and providing robust support to donors.

(c) Living organ donors willingly accept the personal and medical burdens associated with the organ donation process, including undergoing comprehensive and invasive medical evaluations, facing the inherent risks of surgeries, and enduring the physical and emotional challenges of postoperative recovery;

(d) Living organ donors may be required to make substantial financial sacrifices, including suffering a loss of income during recovery; incurring expenses for travel, accommodations, and child care or elder care during hospitalization or recovery; and facing the potential for long-term financial implications related to medical care;

(e) Notwithstanding the willingness of donors to contribute to the public good, the potential for employment discrimination and retaliation post-donation, including job insecurity, demotions, or unwarranted disciplinary actions, can be a significant deterrent to prospective living organ donors;

(f) There are significant societal benefits to facilitating living organ donation, which not only saves lives but also reduces the overall health-care costs associated with long-term treatments for end-stage organ disease, such as dialysis for kidney failure, that are often more costly and less effective than transplantation;

(g) It is within the power and responsibility of the general assembly to enact measures that alleviate the burdens borne by living organ donors and to ensure that they are not penalized or placed at a disadvantage for their altruistic acts;

(h) By supporting living organ donors, Colorado not only invests in the health and well-being of its citizens but also fosters a culture of generosity and civic responsibility, promoting the welfare of the community at large; and

(i) Colorado's commitment to providing comprehensive support, including employment protections and the removal of financial barriers, in addition to other efforts that recognize a living organ donor's personal and financial sacrifice, empowers more Coloradans to consider the noble act of living organ donation.

(2) The general assembly further finds and declares that the enactment of the "CARE for Living Organ Donors Act" will address the critical needs of living organ donors, provide necessary protections for living organ donors, remove barriers to living organ donation, and honor those individuals who undertake this generous act of living organ donation that ultimately benefits society by increasing the availability of organs for transplantation and affirming Colorado's commitment to the health and dignity of its residents.

Source: L. 2024: Entire article added with relocations, (HB 24-1132), ch. 331, p. 2240, § 1, effective June 3.